Moscow Makes No Promises On Arms Sales To Syria, Iran

[Purveyor]

MOSCOW-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said yesterday he received assurances that Russia would not allow Israel's security to be threatened, but offered no indication he won the concrete promises he sought on Russian arms sales or sanctions on Iran.

After meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Olmert also said Israel was not prepared to tolerate a situation in which Iran possesses nuclear weapons, but will not take the lead in preventing it from gaining nuclear capability.

Olmert did not receive a clear commitment that Russia would refrain from supplying Syria with S-300 anti-aircraft missiles or sell advanced weapons to Iran. However, he said he succeeded in getting Medvedev to understand his fears that Russian-made missiles and other technology could fall into the hands of anti-Israeli militants in the region.

"My feeling is the Russian government understands well the Israeli position and is aware of the possible influence such supplying could have on stability in the region," Olmert told reporters traveling with him.

The two leaders agreed to open a permanent line of dialogue on defense issues and set up a "strategic team" to continue discussing the weapons sales.

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HAARETZ: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1027415.html

[Tempest]

1. Why should Russia care about Israel's fears?

After all, they sold weapons to Georgia.